A Complete Guide To Nightlife in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan

Planning a trip to San Pedro La Laguna?

In this post, I’ll reveal everything you need to know about San Pedro La Laguna nightlife, including the top 5 best bars for a night you won’t forget.

Guatemala is a charming and vibrant country, and San Pedro La Laguna is no different.

As the backpacker hotspot, it should come as no surprise that San Pedro is the center of Lake Atitlán nightlife.

After spending two full weeks here, and as a pretty big party girl, I’ve put together this list of the best bars, so you know exactly where to spend your evenings.

From sports bars and lakeview cocktails to pub crawls and tequila shots, keep reading to discover the best of what San Pedro La Laguna nightlife has to offer.

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San Pedro La Laguna Nightlife: Overview

If you don’t have time to read the whole post, below is a quick summary –

Top 5 Best Bars in San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna is known as Lake Atitlán’s backpacker town. And where there are backpackers, great nightlife usually follows.

Although you will not find pumping clubs and all-night parties, there are many lively bars, and enjoying what they have to offer is one of the best things to do in San Pedro La Laguna.

As a general rule, weekends are when the town really comes alive, but you’ll still find plenty of great places for a few beers and a dance any night of the week.

Every bar on this list hosts different events depending on the day, so it’s worth having a rough plan in mind to make sure you catch the nights that best match your vibe.

👉 There is a general 1 AM curfew around Lake Atitlán. However, there is one afterparty spot that stays open, which I will get to later.

Bar Sublime

Bar Sublime is the place to be if you’re hoping to enjoy San Pedro La Laguna nightlife at its best.

Located right in the heart of town, Sublime is one of the top spots for good food, drinks, and a buzzing atmosphere. With a mix of DJs and live music, it’s lively most nights of the week.

One of the best things about Sublime is that there’s a different event every day, making it easy to plan your visit around whatever vibe you’re into.

They have a big board outside listing their days for DJs, live music, open mic, ladies’ night, etc.

My favourite night was Latino night on a Saturday – this attracted the biggest crowd and was always packed. The vibes were unmatched.

If electronic music is more your style, Thursday and Sunday DJ nights are your best bet. I also loved the live reggae music on Fridays, which brings a more laid-back but still social atmosphere.

Beyond music, Bar Sublime hosts a range of other cool events, including pool competitions, salsa classes, and even a local market on Sundays where you can browse handicrafts and clothes.

Whilst the drinks are already super affordable, they also offer great deals. Tuesday is 2 tequila shots for 15Q ($2), and Thursday is ladies’ night, meaning half-price drinks for the girls.

The space is huge, and there is plenty of seating. With big tables, it is great for socialising with a big group of friends.

One of Sublime’s biggest highlights is its location right on the lake.

In addition to seating inside the bar, there’s a deck extending over the water, which is the perfect place to sip cocktails while watching the sunset over Lake Atitlán.

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Mr Mullet’s Party Hostel

Mr Mullet’s has built a solid reputation as the party hostel in San Pedro La Laguna, and if you’re backpacking in Guatemala, chances are you’ll hear about it long before you arrive.

This is the ultimate social hostel and one of the best spots to enjoy Lake Atitlán nightlife.

There’s a lively atmosphere every night of the week, making it the perfect place to socialise and meet fellow travellers.

The crowd is mostly Western backpackers, and you can expect mainstream, crowd-pleasing music.

Mr Mullet’s regularly hosts beer pong tournaments, trivia nights, and hands out plenty of free shots, so there’s always something going on.

Make sure to swing by for happy hour every day from 4–6 pm, but the real highlights are their infamous pub crawls on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

If you’re looking to experience San Pedro La Laguna nightlife at its liveliest, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

This pub crawl starts in Mr Mullet’s with drinking games and beer pong. You will then move on to 6 different bars, with a free shot in each.

At 200Q (around $25), it’s not the cheapest night out if you’re backpacking on a tight budget — but it’s worth it.

On top of all that, Mr Mullet’s also hosts a weekly boat party on Lake Atitlán every Thursday, known as the biggest boat party in Central America.

If you’re looking for a social vibe, to meet other travelers, and a guaranteed fun time every night, then you cannot miss Mr Mullet’s as one of the best bars in San Pedro La Laguna.

➡️ Must Read: Where To Stay in Lake Atitlan: 9 UNMISSABLE Towns & Hotels

Alegre Pub

Located on the corner in the heart of San Pedro, you cannot miss Alegre Pub when visiting Lake Atitlán.

Alegre Pub has the aesthetic of a pub in the UK or Ireland. It is mainly a sports bar, but after the game, there is always music and great vibes.

With many TVs, this is the place to be for any big football match, rugby game, boxing, UFC – you name it.

The food is Western-inspired pub food, and the drinks are super affordable. They have a wide range of Central American craft beers and even pints on tap.

On a weekday, this is a great bar in San Pedro to enjoy a few drinks with friends. They play varied music to cater to all audiences, depending on the night.

If you swing by on the weekend, you will find a buzzing atmosphere. They have DJs on Fridays & Saturdays and the dance floor is always packed with both locals and tourists alike.

As well as the main pub area, Alegre Pub has a rooftop terrace with lovely views of Lake Atitlán. Up here, there are more TVs, loads of seating, and a pool table.

➡️ Recommended: 15 Incredible Things To Do in San Pedro La Laguna

Ola Bar

Ola Bar is another one of the best bars in San Pedro Lake Atitlán.

Unfortunately, this is the only spot that I didn’t get around to visiting myself, but I have heard nothing but great things.

Despite being located a little out of the center, it is well worth getting out of the well-trodden touristy center of San Pedro and experiencing a more local vibe.

Ola Bar is known for its incredible (and super affordable) cocktails. This makes it one of the best San Pedro La Laguna nightlife spots if you’re looking to enjoy some well-crafted drinks.

They have a generous happy hour every day from 4 – 6 PM, with discounts on absolutely everything. It is one of the cheapest places to drink around Lake Atitlan.

Ola Bar hosts many themed parties with a great variety of music, from reggaeton to techno and trance.

As well as DJs, Ola Bar has amazing live music and even the occasional karaoke night.

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Zoola

Another spot you have to check out for Lake Atitlán nightlife is Zoola.

This hostel/bar can be a little difficult to find, as it is located up an unassuming alleyway, but it is well worth it for the extraordinary view from the bar.

The highlight of Zoola is its swimming pool, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Atitlán whilst you sip on a cocktail or two.

Whilst there is music most nights, their techno party on a Saturday is the real star of the show. If you’re a fan of electronic music, then you cannot miss it.

There is also a pool party every Saturday. Relaxing in the sun, day drinking, and chilling in the pool is the perfect warm-up for a crazy evening of partying.

Whilst this is certainly the priciest bar on this list, they do have ladies’ night on a Wednesday and other deals throughout the week.

If you’re visiting the bar, then you should also swing by their restaurant. Specialising in Israeli/Middle Eastern cuisine, this is one of the tastiest San Pedro Laguna restaurants.

Lake Atitlán Nightlife: Other towns to party

Whilst San Pedro La Laguna is known for its varied options of buzzing bars, there are some other fantastic spots around the lake to enjoy nightlife –

Panajachel

As the main transport hub for Lake Atitlán, Panajachel is a popular destination for travelers.

Although I did not party here myself, I have heard that there are many cool bars and discotecas in Panajachel. I would check out the following –

• Selina Panajachel
• Aleph
• Element
• Circus Bar

San Marcos

Known as Lake Atitlan’s ‘hippie town’, you will not find bustling clubs and pumping music in San Marcos.

The vibe is much more chilled, but you will have no trouble finding some great bars to enjoy a beer or cocktail.

Instead of parties, in San Marcos, you will find much more live music, drumming circles, and ceremonies (such as those with cacao).

San Marcos is also a great base if you plan to visit the iconic Gaia Dance Temple, famous for its ecstatic dance.

👉San Marcos is the best town to base yourself if you’re hoping to swim in Lake Atitlan

Where to stay in San Pedro La Laguna

There are many amazing accommodation options in San Pedro La Laguna.

From stunning lake view resorts to affordable shared dorms, there is something for every type of traveler and budget.

San Pedro is fairly concentrated, and most things can be accessed on foot or by tuk-tuk, no matter where you stay.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re staying near the waterfront, you can expect things to be pretty loud at night. Stay a little further out if you’re hoping for more peace and tranquility.

Amigos

Amigos is the perfect place to stay in San Pedro for those traveling on a budget.

Despite being called a hotel, Amigos has a hostel vibe. It is very social, without being a party hostel – it is one of my favorite hostels I’ve ever stayed in.

Depending on your budget, there is a choice of dorms or private rooms. The dorms are clean, spacious, and super affordable. There are two rooftops for socialising.

Amigos is perfectly located in the center of San Pedro, directly opposite the popular bar Sublime. The only downside to this is that it can get a little loud at night.

The price for dorms is 60Q ($8) per night, and private rooms start at 300Q ($38).

Sababa Resort

Sababa Resort is the best accommodation in San Pedro for the luxury traveler.

With lakeview suites, beautiful decor, and exceptional amenities, Sababa is designed with relaxation in mind. There is a pool, spa, a delicious restaurant, and bar, as well as heaps of activities to enjoy.

Private rooms start at about $130 per night.

How to get to San Pedro La Laguna

The nearest airport to San Pedro La Laguna is Guatemala City.

Getting to San Pedro La Laguna is super straightforward, with connections from most popular destinations in Guatemala.

The most common route is from Guatemala City or Antigua, with daily shared shuttles available.

Most shuttles drop you in Panajachel, where you’ll then take a short boat ride across the lake to San Pedro.

However, direct shuttles to San Pedro do exist. We booked ours through a lovely man named Marco, who organised all of our transport and secured great prices throughout our trip.

You can contact him on +502 5437 6307.

➡️ Full Post: How To Get From Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan

San Pedro La Laguna Tours

Check out these highly-rated tours in San Pedro and other surrounding villages –

FAQs

Do all San Pedro bars really close at 1 AM?

In San Pedro, and (I believe) around Lake Atitlán in general, there is a curfew at 1 AM.

This means all bars will close and stop serving alcohol at this time.

That being said, sometimes Sublime stayed open later than this on the weekends. They just turned the music down.

However, if you’re like me and cannot accept when the party is over, there is a great afterparty spot that stays open until the early hours.

It is called Club El Aguacatal. It is a little out of the center, but right on the lake. You can find the location here.

When Sublime closes, ask around for the afterparty and follow the crowd in the general direction. They play a mixture of techno and Latino music.

What is the best party town in Lake Atitlan?

San Pedro La Laguna is certainly the best party town around Lake Atitlán.

Although you will not find bustling clubs, there are many bars with a lively atmosphere most nights of the week and a great variation of music.

San Pedro comes alive on the weekends; however, different bars host different parties throughout the week too.

It is also home to Mr Mullet’s, the ultimate party hostel for Lake Atitlán and Guatemala in general. They host iconic pub crawls and boat parties.

Panajachel, Lake Atitlan’s biggest town, also has great bars, music, and nightlife in general.

When is the San Pedro La Laguna feria?

The feria for San Pedro La Laguna is on the 29th of June.

I was lucky enough to be in San Pedro for this date and I would highly recommend it to everyone. There’s great live music, dancing, games, and a lively atmosphere over the whole week.

The only downside is the (constant) fireworks.

Is San Pedro Guatemala worth visiting?

San Pedro La Laguna is well worth visiting and absolutely deserves a spot on your Guatemala itinerary.

I was lucky enough to spend over two weeks in San Pedro, and having visited many of the towns around Lake Atitlán, it was by far my favourite.

Known as the backpacker town, I was worried that San Pedro would lack authenticity and be full of tourists.

I was, however, pleasantly surprised. Whilst there is certainly a lot of international influence, this seems to work harmoniously with the local traditions and culture.

Personally, I think San Pedro La Laguna is the perfect base to explore the surrounding towns, and feels like getting home whenever you come back.

➡️ Related: Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in San Pedro La Laguna

What is San Pedro La Laguna known for?

As with other towns around Lake Atitlan, San Pedro La Laguna is home to the Tz’utujil people.

This indigenous community makes up one of the 22 Maya ethnic groups that live in Guatemala.

However, in recent years, San Pedro has grown as a popular tourist destination. It has been coined Lake Atitlan’s ‘backpacker town’.

San Pedro is a magnet for like-minded travelers looking to deeper understand Mayan culture and marvel at the beauty of Lake Atitlan.

It is popular for its affordable Spanish schools, buzzing nightlife scene, and is a popular jump-off spot for nearby hikes.

➡️ You might also like: 15 Incredible Things To Do in San Pedro La Laguna

Can you swim in Lake Atitlan?

Yes, you can swim in Lake Atitlan – but not everywhere.

As a general rule, avoid swimming around the bigger towns, as the water here can be a little dirty and polluted.

➡️ For full details, check out my Can You Swim In Lake Atitlan Guide

San Pedro La Laguna Nightlife: Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it! This post has detailed everything you need to know for an amazing night exploring San Pedro La Laguna nightlife.

If you have visited San Pedro La Laguna, I would love to hear from you – drop me a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest and let me know how it was!